Meeting emotional needs It is important that we recognise and understand the emotional needs of someone living with dementia. Sometimes, a person might have trouble expressing themselves, which may lead to frustration as a result. The best thing to remember is that each person is an individual, and that all communication comes in many forms. How you respond in any situation should be personal to the individual – this is often called person- centred approach, or personally tailored care. Communication can be difficult for both the person living with dementia and those caring. For example, someone could be asking to see a relative who is no longer alive, and it is hard to know how best to respond when you don’t want to upset or challenge the person who may be living with a different sense of reality. Telling the blatant truth could cause significant distress. Distracting them could also leave the person more confused and frustrated. In this difficult situation it helps to focus on the emotions
being expressed rather than the facts of the situation, and acknowledge what the person might be feeling, for example, “I can see you look upset, can I sit with you for a while and you can tell me about your mum”. By showing that you recognise their emotions and exploring why they are asking for that relative, you can help them to feel supported and secure, allowing space and time to explore what you might be able to do to reassure and help. The better you know the person, the less complex this is to deal with. In any circumstance, to begin to understand what that person might be saying, first try to consider the context of the question being asked. Look beyond what the person is saying to find the meaning behind the words and try to the identify the need they may be expressing.
LOOK AFTER YOURSELF AS WELL AS YOUR LOVED ONE When caring for someone living with dementia, it is important to have time to look after yourself, too. Lifestyles and routines for both you and the loved one you are caring for may change, and the person living with dementia may feel sad or frustrated by their symptoms. Always remember the individual and take time to acknowledge and validate what they are feeling. At the end of this guide, you will find resources for people caring for someone with dementia.
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